plastic free july: simple steps you can take to improve your impact
written by Jasmine Irven
“Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities (source).”
We’ve talked before about the downfalls of plastic. Plastic is often chosen out of convenience in the moment by consumers, and created by companies to aid in convenience and cut costs.
The problem is that opting for something convenient in the moment for which you get a few minutes or another short period of time of pleasure out of, results in plastic and plastic fragments being left in the environment for hundreds of years to break down.
Here are some quick stats:
only about nine percent of all plastic ever made has likely been recycled (source)
plastics often contain additives (used to make them stronger and more flexible) which can extend the life of the same products when they end up in a landfill -- some estimates ranging to at least 400 years to break down (source).
40 percent of plastic produced is packaging, used just once and then discarded (source).
nearly half of all plastic ever manufactured has been made since 2000 (source).
Now I want to be clear in that not all plastic is bad. Plastic is imperative in some cases for greater accessibility (i.e. plastic straws for those with mobility difficulties), and in places where basic resources are not available (i.e. plastic water bottles in places where clean drinking water is not available or accessible).
However, for those of us who are able to reduce our plastic consumption, this is an important step we can take in reducing our waste and our impact on the environment.
on sustainability
Sustainable living is a lifestyle shift. It means looking at your daily actions, and the impact you’re making (positive or negative), and using that as a starting point for finding simple shifts you can make to reduce your environmental footprint and create a better future.
Like every lifestyle shift though, with change comes resistance. Humans are creatures of habit. Everything we do is reflected in circuits in our brains. The more we do something, the more these circuits become engrained, easier, and stronger, in support of that habit.
One of the most common areas of resistance people experience when starting to shift to a more sustainable lifestyle is overwhelm. It can be intimidating to begin this lifestyle when there are so many places to start.
Even the name of the movement, “Plastic Free July” can seem intimidating when you might feel that you’ll never reach the point of being completely plastic free. This overwhelm can cause doubt + fear, and can lead to inaction due to fear of failure.
Instead, we like to encourage small, simple steps which offer the opportunity for sustainable change.
Rather than seeing being plastic free as the goal, look at reducing your waste in general as the goal.
Rather than trying to make all these changes at once, opt for one a day.
These changes will make it easier to build momentum, so that you’ll be able to continue this change long beyond Plastic Free July, which is really the ultimate goal of the movement anyways.
simple swaps
Choose a reusable water bottle over purchasing plastic bottles
Opt for making your coffee at home rather than grabbing one on the way to work or bring a reusable mug to your favourite coffee shop (like this Joco)
Buy your coffee beans from a local cafe (where they often come in a paper bag rather than plastic container; the shop will likely grind them for you!)
Try using a french press to make your coffee (how-to steps written in this blog)
Make the switch to loose leaf tea + get your own reusable infuser (Did you know approx. 96% of tea bags contain up to 25% plastic?)
Switch to a reusable straw (if able to)
Bring reusable grocery bags to the store
Bring reusable produce bags to the grocery store
Source out your local bulk stores and buy in bulk using your own containers where you can
Opt for glass over plastic (in regards to purchasing food products for example)
Swap to bar soap
Shop locally and support small businesses
Say no to plastic cutlery when eating out. Instead invest in a reusable cutlery set or simply bring some from home
Bring your own lunch to work rather than eating out
Bring reusable containers for leftovers when you eat out
Instead of saving food in single-use plastic bags, opt for something like these reusable flat-lay storage bags
Swap your plastic vegetable scrubbing brush for one made of wood
DIY some of your cleaning supplies
Purchase a metal razor
Use a bamboo toothbrush
DIY some of your bathroom essentials like deodorant and toothpaste
Opt for a diva cup or reusable pads to make your period more sustainable
Opt for reusable cotton rounds
Cook more at home
Start growing your own herbs and veggies
Purchase second-hand first whenever possible
Repair old clothes
Use your local library
education
Consider watching documentaries like Game Changers, Minimalism, and Our Planet. This will help you to become more informed about the choices you are making, and you’ll be able to better answer questions you get from others!
Read books like “The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide”, “Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too”, and “Eating Animals”. Education is key.
Ensure your fight for climate justice coincides with your fight for social justice. The two are inseparable.
Follow people who advocate for intersectional environmentalism; for people and the planet. Some great accounts include @wastefreemarie, @impactforgood, and @mikaelaloach.
further steps
Support small, local, BIPOC owned businesses. Vote with your dollar.
Donate to businesses and organizations that are aligned with your environmental and social justice beliefs.
Call your favourite companies and ask them what they’re doing for the environment, when they plan on switching to more eco-friendly packaging/ processes, put pressure on them to make this change.
Sign petitions.
Vote: The more you use your dollar to vote for the type of world you want, and your voice to advocate for change, the more corporations and companies will notice. And the more you use your vote to push for action, the more governments will notice.
The more you use your dollar to vote for the type of world you want, and your voice to advocate for change, the more corporations and companies will notice. And the more you use your vote to push for action, the more governments will notice.
— Jasmine Irven
general tips for shifting to a more sustainable lifestyle
Use up what you have first – unless the product is extremely harmful (for example a really harsh chemical cleaner), use up the products you have before going out and purchasing newer, “better” products. If you just go through your entire house and throw out everything to switch to more sustainable products, you’re creating a lot of unnecessary waste.
When you run out of a product, then search for a more sustainable option for repurchase. This is a great way to shift to a low-waste lifestyle more gradually!
Borrow, upcycle, and repurpose when you can rather than purchasing.
Shift to digital products where you can (for example, a digital journal or calendar, e-books, etc.)
Always support local shops rather than large chains.
Opt for companies that embody values and practices you believe in.
Ask yourself if you really need the product. Embrace the minimalism mindset – even purchasing a sustainable product is more wasteful than not purchasing anything at all!
final thoughts
I hope these tips and swaps are suggestions you feel are tangible and achievable in your own life. Remember that everything you do, every change you make, every mindset you shift, truly makes a difference.
I often find that I get stuck in the mindset that there’s so much wrong in the world that our individual changes won’t make an impact, but then I need to remind myself that that’s simply not the case!
As individuals we have so much to offer the world. Our changes not only reflect in our own lives but extend into the community around you – friends and family might see what you’re doing and begin to ask more questions or make changes in their own lives, if enough people start shifting their lifestyle corporations will (and already are) be(ing) forced to change, and if enough corporations shift then entire systems will change.
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about the author
Hey there! I’m Jasmine, founder of the Sustainable Bliss Collective, a Certified Meditation Teacher, and lover of all things self-care, slow-living, and personal development.
I believe that ambition and self-care can coexist, and as such I hope to encourage and inspire you to take care of yourself, breathe deeply, connect with who you are, manifest your dreams, enjoy the blissful moments of each day, and make an impact in this beautiful world we call home.
Connect with me on Instagram here!
